Cool off

Back when we were suffering a couple weeks of zero trades, 90-degree temperatures all held in place by high humidity and a blanket of vog, I was dyin' for some cool treats.

Creamy full-fat ice cream always seems like a good idea in the short-term, but afterward -- for me at least -- the weighted feeling is accompanied by remorse.

The worst of the weather seems to have passed for now, but there are still a lot of days left until summer's end. Here are a few places where you can cool off:

Godiva Chocolatier

Ala Moana Center, third level / 951-4824
Kahala Mall / 734-3700

Forget nibbling on chocolate in the afternoon when the quickest infusion of happiness comes in ice-cold liquid form via Godiva.

It's no wonder the Aztecs believed in bitter chocolate nectar as a food of gods and royalty. We're lucky to be living in a time when it's accessible to anyone with $4.75 to spend on Godiva's sweet, invigorating Chocolixir.

Other flavors include Dark Chocolate Decadence, with the same 72 percent extra-dark chocolate, Milk Chocolate Caramel and White Chocolate Raspberry.

Don't hate me if this adds to your list of unbreakable habits.

MIKE BURLEY / MBURLEY@STARBULLETIN.COM
Ling Zheng made shaved ice for customers at the Hyatt on the Beach at Waikiki Wednesday afternoon.

Hyatt on the Beach

Waikiki Beach, across from the Hyatt / 924-TOGO (8648)

High gas prices have taken the fun out of the weekend drive, that is, unless you have the bucks and appreciate driving with a reduced number of yahoos on the road.

For those who can no longer make it to Matsumoto's or Aoki's for shave ice, the shave ice at Waiola Store has always been a contender, and Hyatt on the Beach serves up a colossal version. It comes in a sturdy blue plastic cup so you don't have to worry about the flavored syrup leaking through flimsy paper cups.

The indecisive can order up set combinations of flavors such as Rainbow (strawberry, banana and vanilla), Hot B's Special (Blue Hawaii, mango and passionfruit), or Waikiki Sunset (strawberry, passionfruit and banana). Otherwide, choose from individual flavors that also include coconut, raspberry, pineapple and mocha frappuccino.

Cost is $3. You can order it with azuki beans or Sno-Caps for 75 cents individually, or $1.25 for both. But dudes, where's the ice cream?

Mondo Gelato

A world of flavors is presented here, from the local in the form of lychee and mango that taste like the real fruit, to Italian tiramisu and English trifle cake.

You never know which 33 of 100 flavors they'll be offering on any day, and I always feel bad that I have to sample at least three flavors before making a decision. Choosing is difficult but you can't go wrong when every flavor is a winner. Even the ACE vitamins, described as a healthy combination of vitamins A, C and E, burst with the flavor of oranges.

Other flavors capture the essence of the hazelnut-and-chocolate Ferraro Rocher candy or refreshing zing of After Eight dinner mints.

Gelato has a lower fat content than its premium American counterpart, so two scoops don't leave you feeling as bloated as regular ice cream. Those who have trouble with dairy may also inquire about non-dairy, soy-based gelati.

A single flavor scoop in a cup or cone will cost you $3.95. It's $5.95 for two flavors and $7.95 for three.

Note: If you're hungry, pastries here can also look divine, but depending on when they arrived, they may taste of having been in the showcase too long.

NADINE KAM / NKAM@STARBULLETIN.COM
Precious Savea, 7, and Aljames Stanley-Savea Jr, 11, both of Aiea, shared a shaved ice as they took a break from playing on the beach at Waikiki.

Milano Freezer

Westridge Center, 98-150 Kaonohi St. / 488-7976

Compared to Mondo Gelato, most of the fruit flavors here seem artificial. But those who live on the West side may not mind for convenience's sake. Luckily, heavier flavors like peanut butter and cheesecake taste closer to the real deal. Best of all is the Donatella, a rich hazelnut chocolate that'll satisfy a double craving for something cool and chocolatey.

Refrigerators stock nearly double the flavors available in the cases for those who want to take more home, or just in case your favorite isn't represented among the 16 rotating flavors in the showcase.

A small, 6-ounce serving is $3.25, and they'll allow you to combine two flavors. Medium is $4.25, and large is $5.75.

Yogurt topped with fresh fruit is also an option. Other toppings include nuts and candies like Gummi bears and Sno-Caps. A single topping is 95 cents; two are $1.50; three are $2.25; and each additional topping is 75 cents.

Nadine Kam's restaurant reviews are conducted anonymously and paid for by the Star-Bulletin. Star ratings are based on comparisons of similar restaurants: